1 Corinthians 14

1Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual things, but especially that you may prophesy.

2For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; rather, he speaks mysteries in the Spirit.

3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification and encouragement and consolation.

4The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

5I want all of you to speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification.

6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by revelation or by knowledge or by prophecy or by teaching?

7Even lifeless things that produce sound—whether flute or harp—if they do not give a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or on the harp be recognized?

8For if the trumpet gives an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle?

9So also with you: if through the tongue you do not give intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be understood? For you will be speaking into the air.

10There are perhaps many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning.

11Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the voice, I will be a foreigner to the one speaking, and the one speaking will be a foreigner to me.

12So also you, since you are eager for spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the building up of the church.

13Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

15What then is to be done? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will also sing praise with the mind.

16Otherwise, if you bless in the spirit, how will the one filling the place of the uninstructed say the Amen at your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

17For you are indeed giving thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

19But in the church I would rather speak five words with my mind, so that I may also instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20Brothers, do not become children in your thinking, but be infants in evil; yet in your thinking become mature.

21In the Law it is written: “By people of other tongues and by the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, and not even in this way will they listen to me,” says the Lord.

22So then, tongues are for a sign not to those who believe but to unbelievers, while prophecy is not to unbelievers but to those who believe.

23Therefore, if the whole church comes together in one place and all speak in tongues, and uninstructed people or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

24But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or uninstructed person enters, he is convicted by all; he is examined by all.

25the secrets of his heart become evident, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God truly is among you.

26What then is it, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

27If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two, or at most three, and each in turn, and let one interpret.

28But if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.

29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

30But if a revelation is given to another who is seated, let the first be silent.

31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

32And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets,

33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

34The women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, just as the law also says.

35But if they want to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the assembly.

36Or did the word of God go out from you, or has it reached only you?

37If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.

38But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

39So then, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

40But let everything be done decently and in order.